Chapter 339: Year-End Profit Sharing

The New Year was approaching, and the embroidery workshop had already completed and delivered all of this year’s work. They were no longer accepting new orders and would wait until after the New Year to reopen.

Business was booming, and they had a stable clientele. Except for Master Qing’s accident, everything else was good.

Wen Yu distributed generous red envelopes, ensuring that the embroideresses could enjoy a happy New Year.

The embroidery workshop hadn’t closed completely; two shop assistants remained to attend to customers who needed to purchase fabrics and accessories for New Year gifts.

The embroideresses who lived nearby had all gone home. Those who had come from Jiangzhou, essentially homeless, continued to live in Wen Yu’s courtyard. With the hard-earned free time, they cleaned, cut window decorations, bathed, washed clothes, and prepared for the New Year’s Eve dinner.

Having spent a long time together, they had all become like family.

With the experience gained this year, Yi Bai took advantage of the lull in work to write numerous couplets and even painted images of the God of Wealth. He brought them to the shop, some to be given to loyal customers and others to be sold at the shop’s entrance.

Li Yuan had a knack for this. This clean-cut young boy, with his charming smile revealing two dimples and his rosy lips and white teeth, had earned another sum for Wen Yu.

The restaurant remained as popular as ever, with numerous singing girls coming and going, and the sounds of silk, bamboo, and string instruments constantly filling the air. Before the year’s end, many people seeking to cultivate relationships held banquets there.

Wen Yu and the accountant calculated the accounts, and she decided to pay rent to her mother-in-law. Madam Qi refused, and the two argued for a long time. Finally, she accepted a significantly discounted amount.

After finishing the accounting, Wen Yu looked at the amount of silver recorded. Thinking of the silver notes in her possession and the silver in the family’s storehouse, she was deeply satisfied.

However, the initial decoration and purchases for the shops had cost a considerable amount of silver. Now, with the rent paid, she hadn’t recouped all of her investments. Nevertheless, it was already better than expected.

With more silver on hand, she had to consider splitting the profits with Song Shang.

Initially, Song Shang had provided a lot of silver, and although the accounts were meticulously kept, how should this silver be calculated?

Should it be considered a loan or an investment?

If it were calculated as a loan, he wouldn’t have any shares, but he had been working tirelessly for the shops, especially the restaurant, which she hadn’t managed at all from beginning to end.

But if it were considered an investment, they hadn’t discussed shares… How should they divide it appropriately?

Wen Yu pondered over various solutions for a long time, her head aching. Unsure of what to do, she had to consult with Song Shang.

However, Song Shang was already busy at the year’s end, and recently, Song Chihan had been causing him a lot of emotional turmoil. He wasn’t willing to discuss these matters at all. Upon hearing it, he simply waved his hand dismissively, “Let’s not calculate this for now. You keep the silver and use it.”

Wen Yu was delighted to hear this. Who would want to part with silver that had already come into their hands? However, she said, “Cousin, how can I do that? You’ve been managing the restaurant. Now, with so much silver on hand, not giving you a share… wouldn’t that be inappropriate?”

Her expression seemed to convey: “Just insist a little more, and I’ll agree with you…”

Seeing her stingy demeanor, Song Shang couldn’t help but laugh, “I sent people to manage the restaurant, and the shop has paid their wages. At the end of the year, Fifth Madam Qi, you even gave out red envelopes. Everyone is satisfied. That’s enough! As for me, you don’t have to worry! Moreover, you don’t have shares in the inn either, but through you, it has gained many regular customers.

This is mutually beneficial. This amount of silver and these matters are nothing to me. I’m troubled lately, so don’t bother me. After the New Year, let’s see if there are any good business opportunities. If you want to do it, we’ll do it.”

Wen Yu didn’t decline any further, “Alright, since Earl Song is so wealthy and generous, and doesn’t care about this small sum… I’ll keep it for now! It’s better than leaving it with you, where it might be schemed against… With me, you’ll always have a room and a bowl of rice.”

“Wen Yu!” Song Shang was exasperated and shouted at her!

“Ah Yu? Let’s go!” This was Wen Shizhu calling.

Wen Yu left with a smile. Zhu Zhu was waiting at the top of the stairs, and the two descended together.

Outside the door, Hu Fei and Qi Wu were standing by the carriage, talking.

Zhu Zhu had already moved into the Wen family residence, and today, she was taking Wen Yu to see her quarters.

Arriving at the Wen residence, as there was no mistress of the house, there was no need for formal greetings. The group went directly to Zhu Zhu’s courtyard.

The courtyard was spacious, with elegant pomegranate trees on the left corner of the wall and plum trees on the right.

Three steps led up to the living room, which was bright and spacious, even larger than Wen Yu’s living room at the Qi residence. There were narcissus on the windowsill and orchids on a stand. As soon as one entered, a delightful fragrance filled the air.

Old Master Wen had probably rummaged through the family’s storehouse, finding and arranging anything suitable for a young lady.

The living room was filled with beautiful furnishings…

Zhu Zhu accompanied Wen Yu as she looked around, whispering, “Father told me to entertain friends here when I have free time. But when would I ever have free time? Besides…”

She blushed… She was getting married in May next year. She wouldn’t be living here for long…

✿✿✿

This was also something that greatly displeased Magistrate Wen.

“Ah Yu, look… there’s even a small kitchen!” Zhu Zhu led Wen Yu to the adjacent room.

The kitchen was fully equipped with exquisite pots, bowls, and even a cabinet for seasonings, divided into small compartments. It seemed that all the necessary ingredients had been provided.

“Look at these pots, cutting boards, steaming baskets, everything is so well-made.” Zhu Zhu couldn’t put down each item. “Isn’t it lovely? Come and see the bedroom.”

In the spacious bedroom, the carved bed was adorned with the most expensive bed curtains sold at “Cloud Desires.”

It was evident that the Wen family truly treasured Zhu Zhu as a precious pearl.

“Zhu Zhu, your courtyard is wonderful! Your grandfather and father truly dote on you!” Wen Yu looked at Wen Shizhu, genuinely moved.

We finally made it to this day…

“Yes,” Wen Shizhu smiled sweetly.

Back in the living room, Hu Fei and Qi Wu were sitting, drinking tea.

Wen Yu said to Qi Wu, “Magistrate Wen has put a lot of thought into his daughter’s quarters. It’s so complete. This courtyard is also lovely. When the plum blossoms bloom in a few days, it will be even more beautiful.”

Hu Fei said calmly, “I bought a garden in Zhu Zhu’s name in the Lotus Flower Lane by Houhai Lake. We’ll start arranging it in the spring. However, it will take two to three years to take shape. Zhu Zhu, I’ve specially invited Master Huang Shoushan to design the layout. We’ll take you to see it during the New Year. If you have any preferences, just let me know!”

Wen Yu was impressed. The Hu family was truly wealthy! Buying a garden was so simple for them!

Meanwhile, Magistrate Wen, who had just returned home and learned of Wen Yu’s visit, heard this as he reached the doorway. His heart was filled with both joy and frustration.

He was joyful that Hu Fei treated his daughter well. Though he spoke casually, a garden like that would cost at least two hundred thousand taels of silver.

He was frustrated because the exquisite boudoir he had painstakingly created for his daughter, which she wouldn’t be staying in for long anyway, was immediately overshadowed by this “white-haired” fellow…

Was wealth everything?

Angrily, he didn’t even enter the room, turning around to complain to Old Master Wen.

✿✿✿

Back home, Wen Yu showed off the silver in her accounts to Qi Wu, “Look, how much silver do I have?”

“Hmm.” Qi Wu looked at his wife tenderly. He found her lively and cunning, like a little fox. “You’re beautiful and wealthy. Marrying you was a stroke of luck for this foolish man!” He teased, which was rare for him.

“Why are you being so sweet-tongued today?” Wen Yu was puzzled.

Qi Wu said, “Did you see those boxes in the west wing? Those are some of my private savings from before. Take a look when you have time…”

Wen Yu understood. This was what her mother-in-law had returned to him.

Thinking of those things having passed through Qin Lianyue’s hands, she felt uncomfortable. “No, I don’t want them!” She pointed to the amount in the accounts, “I have plenty of silver! Take yours and give it to your Crown Prince.”

Qi Wu thought for a moment and surprisingly nodded, “Then… you won’t be angry about this matter anymore?”

“No, I won’t.” Wen Yu agreed verbally, but in her heart, she thought: I’ll have to ask Mother-in-law later if what she returned was enough. If not, I’ll find an excuse to be “angry”!

This troublesome matter had finally come to an end. Qi Wu was overjoyed. He held Wen Yu’s hand and gently caressed her face, “How fortunate I am to have such a wonderful wife…”

The candlelight flickered, and the two were about to embrace…

But just then, a whistle sounded outside.

Qi Wu’s expression changed instantly, “Ah Yu, stay inside, don’t come out! I’ll go see what’s happening…”

He quickly adjusted his attire and left the room.

He didn’t return that night…